FRESH from the success of Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. is set to star as Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s new movie about the fictional British detective,
The star is reportedly in final talks with bosses at Warner Bros. to take on the role of the fictional British detective in a film adapted from Lionel Wigram’s comic book based on the novels and short stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
A source said: “After the success of Iron Man, Robert wanted to choose a movie which would keep him in the public eye, and thinks Guy Ritchie’s new Sherlock Holmes film is the perfect vehicle for him. He is in final negotiations now, but he basically just needs to sign on the dotted line and then he’s done.”
Downey Jr was first approached to take the role when he visited his wife Susan, who works for film producer Joel Silver, and was shown a preliminary script for Ritchie’s movie.
Ritchie’s unique take on the legendary detective - who solves crimes using logical reasoning with the help of his sidekick Dr. Watson - will see a more adventurous side to the character.
However, Downey Jr will have to compete with Sacha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell, who have signed up to star in a Columbia comedy about the British sleuth.
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